HUFFINGTON POST

I was recently chatting with a very talented filmmaker/video artist named Kenzo Hakuta about his newest project, entitled City of God's Son (COGS). He is releasing the music for the project on January 13th at www.cityofgodson.com.


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COMPLEX

When you hear the words “hip-hop opera,” you probably think about that wack-ass MTV movie with Beyoncé from 2001. But considering the fact that hip-hop has such strong a tradition in storytelling, the two art forms should really find a less corny way to get along.


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CREATIVE COMMONS

Kenzo Digital is New York-based multi-talented creator that works in video, audio, and mixed media to create both artistic works and commercial products. Aesthetically informed by early 90s hip-hop, his latest and most well-publicized work, City of God’s Son, is a CC-licensed “opera for the blind.”


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KANYE UNIVERSECITY

A new project that fuses sampling culture with gangster storytelling.


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FORMAT MAG

Format: During the era this project harks back to, there were a plethora of extremely talented MC’s. What made you choose Nas, Biggie, Jay and Ghost for The City Of God Son?
Kenzo Digital: I wanted to really connect the mythical world of film characters and rapper personas, and tie them in through story telling and visceral word play as much as possible.


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NORTH BY NORTHWESTERN

At this stage in hip-hop’s life cycle, a strong argument can be (and very often is) made that the forces that once made it such an important form of expression have waned. Not to be that guy, but original concepts, engaging personalities and societal relevance — right now, it’s pretty much accepted that none of these things are currently as strong as they once were within a musical genre that gets more hate than any other.


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WIRED

Los Angeles-based hip-hop crew Sa-Ra Creative Partners may have its origins in the music industry, but it has gone all-out political in 2008.


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HUFFINGTON POST

A new celeb-filled video for Sen. Barack Obama: Taz Arnold (AKA TI$A), front man to underground hip-hop super group Sa-Ra formerly signed to Grammy award winning artist Kanye West's label Good Music, launches his solo career and dedicates his first single and accompanying celebrity filled music video, "Vote Obama" in support of democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.


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POPWATCH

Another music video for Obama? But wait, this one's actually good!


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OBEY GIANT

The link below is a great video for Sa-Ra front man Taz Arnold (TI$A)’s new song “Vote Obama”. My art is displayed prominently in this video and I make a cameo short enough to keep my un-funkiness from spoiling the infectious fun. Check it out.
-Shepard


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